In it’s second NBA Development League season, and 10th overall as a franchise, the Idaho Stampede have been awarded the opportunity to host the Fourth Annual NBA D-League Showcase. The event will be held at the Qwest Arena from January 14-17.
“Being able to host the NBA Development League Showcase during our 10th year Anniversary Season at Qwest Arena is a special honor,” said Stampede President & General Manager Steve Brandes. “Not only are we excited to bring a premiere NBA experience to sports fans in the Treasure Valley, but we are extremely proud to be able to host an event that will have such a positive impact on Idaho.”
Conceived by the D-League NBA Panel prior to the 2004-05 season, the Showcase provides exposure for D-League players and coaches to NBA general managers, player personnel executives and scouts on four consecutive days at one location.
The D-League NBA Panel consists of basketball operations executives and scouts from various NBA teams, as well as members of the NBA and D-League Basketball Operations staffs. The Panel is charged with continually evaluating the D-League’s progress toward meeting the needs of the NBA’s 30 teams.
With the current expansion of the NBA D-League, 2008 Showcase will be 12 to 16 games, with potentially four games to be played each day.
Every NBA team will be represented at the Showcase as well, either by a general manager, scout or other front office personnel. International teams will also travel to Boise to scout players and coaches, and agents will travel to the area to see and visit with their player firsthand.
Economically, during the four-day Showcase, over a quarter of a million dollars will be directly and indirectly pumped into the local economy as over 250 players, coaches, trainers, scouts, GM’s and other NBA personnel will stay at local hotels, eat at local restaurants and shop in local stores.
“We are excited that the D-League Showcase will be held in Boise, ID in 2008,” D-League Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel Chris Alpert said. “Similar to previous years, this event will provide our players with exposure to NBA scouts and showcase one of our great markets. We look forward to being in Boise in January.”
In addition to NBA and D-League team personnel, NBA league officials will travel to Boise to conduct meetings and participate in community events throughout the Showcase.
Charlotte Bobcats guard Matt Carroll and Houston Rockets forward Chuck Hayes are two examples of several players that have used the Showcase as a springboard to a spot on an NBA roster. After pouring in 11 field goals in a game during the 2005 event in Columbus, Ga., Carroll earned a GATORADE Call-Up to the Bobcats a short time later. Hayes averaged 11.0 rebounds in the 2006 Showcase in Fayetteville, N.C. in front of more than 60 NBA scouts and was signed by the Rockets two days later.
“The D-League Showcase is a premiere event and it is a great opportunity to highlight the city of Boise and its facilities. It also provides the players a chance to be evaluated by NBA personnel in a competitive environment,” said D-League Director of Basketball Operations, Terrance “Doc” Martin.
With the D-League’s mission to provide continuing education, as well as personal and career development assistance to players designed to prepare them for life during and after their basketball careers, the Showcase also affords an opportunity for league-wide Life Skills and Career Counseling sessions. These sessions supplement monthly workshops that are conducted with each D-League team throughout the season.
“Since its inception in 2005, the NBA D-League Showcase allows NBA teams the rare opportunity to evaluate the skill level of every player in the D-League in one central location, gives fans in the community a view of the best talent the D-League has to offer, and provides players and team staffs the platform to participate in community and player development programs,” D-League Senior Director of Player Development and Community Relations Kevin Carr said.
Game times for the 2008 Showcase will be announced in the near future.
The Idaho Stampede tip-off their 10th Anniversary season, and second in the NBA Development League, in November. Season tickets for the reigning Western Division Champions during the 2007-08 season start at only $175 per seat. Idaho Stampede season ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase tickets at a special rate, prior to the general public, for the 2008 NBA D-League Showcase. Don’t miss out on any of the action, call (208) 388-4667 today for more information.